Automatic plate inserter and ejector for embossing machines



Dec. 19, 1950 2,534,834

P. R. SEWARD AUTOMATIC PLATE INSERTER AND EJECTOR FOR EMBOSSING MACHINES Filed March 22, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I I I I l E 2 I I I 5 H41 I /J/ INVENTOR.

firqy R 6' 83 0727] Dec. 19, 1950 P. R. SEWARD Y 2,534,834

AUTOMATIC PLATE INSERTER AND EJECTOR FOR EMBOSSING MACHINES Filed March 22. 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. 322: y]? LIZ-ward Dec. 19, 1950 2,534,834

P. R. SEWARD AUTOMATIC PLATE INSERTER AND EJECTOR FOR EMBOSSING MACHINES 7 INVENTOR.

Ferry 71, J 2002 12 Dec. 19,1950

P. R; SEWARD 2,534,834 AUTOMATIC PLATE INSERTER AND EJECTOR FOR EMBOSSING MACHINES Filed March 22, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 732213, 75639301221 j w nflxig 7 Patented Dec. 19, 1950 UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATEC PLATE INSERTER AND EJEC- TOR FOR EMBOSSING MACHINES Percy R. Seward, Minneapolis, Minn. I M pplication March 22, 1948, Serial No. 16,238

24 Claims. ((31. 1976.6)

My present invention relates to automatic plate inserting and ejecting mechanism for embossing machines.

It is well known that it is now a hand operation to insert blanl: plates into an embossing machine and remove the same therefrom, which is a slow and tedious process.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a highly efiicient automatic late inserting and ejecting mechanism for embodiment in a machine for use in embossing indicia, such as names and addresses, upon plates of zinc or similar material, which plates in turn are used for imprinting the names and addresses upon newspapers, magazines and similar mailing pieces.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the drawings.

To the above end, generally stated, the invention consistsof the novel devices and combination of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of the invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the carriage of a commercial embossing machine, and a fragment of an extension of the track on which it runs, modified to include parts of one embodiment of the invention, and also an attachment that includes the balance of the complete embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a left side elevational View of the machine in which the plate holder is in plateejecting position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary right-hand elevational view of the machine with the plate holder as shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the rear end portion of the attachment with the ejector plate in its projected position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view principally in vertical section taken through the machine from the front to the rear thereof and showing the plate holder in an embossed plate-holding posi tion;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view partly in plan and partly in section taken on the irregular line '|-'l of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail view partly in plan and partly in section taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a view principally in side elevation with the carriage track sectioned on the line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig, 10 is a fragmentary detail view partly i n.

side elevation and partly i section taken on the line It-l of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a plan view of the lower jaw of the; plate holder; 1 Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view principally in; front elevation with some parts sectioned onthe' line 12-42 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of one of the blank plates; v Fig. 14 is a rear elevational view of theplat'ef holder holding and tilting device; and Fig, 15 is a fragmentary detail View principally in vertical section taken on the line ELL-it of. Fig. 2, on a greatly enlarged scale, showing aii embossed plate held by the plate holder in posi-.' tion to be ejected into the hopper and also show ing, by means of broken lines, the plate holder tilted into a position and the upper jaw opened to receive a blank plate when moved towari'il the same. i

The numeral l6 indicates a modified carriage of an embossing machine having a portionoi my invention embodied therein. This carriage it is mounted to run on a fragment of the track f ii that is aright-hand extension of the track'foif the embossing machine. case, it is not thought necessary to show the embossingmachine except for the parts shown in the drawings. 7 Theframe of the carriage It includes a pair of side members Hi rigidly connected by upper, intermediate and lower crosstie members designated by the numerals i9, '20 and 2|, respec-f tively. The track H, as shown, is a rectangular bar and integral therewith is an upstanding rail 22 inset from the inner side of the track ii. Both side members iii are channeled at to receive the bottom portion of the track. Ii on which they slide. 1 A pair of wheels 24, in tandem, are arranged to run on the top of the track IT at the. side of the track rail 22, a second pair of wheels 25; in tandem, is arranged to run on the front of the track I'd near the bottom thereof, and a third pair of smaller wheels 26 and 21, in tandem, is also arranged to run on the back of the track 11 between the wheels 24. The pairs of wheels 24 and 25 and the two wheels 26 and 21 are alljonr-v naled in bearings on the side members 58 and the wheels 25, 2t and 27 turn about vertical axes; The wheel 27, which is outwardly of the carriage It, at the right thereof, performs an, important For the purpose of this function, aside from that of guiding the carriage IE on the track, as will presently appear.

The carriage I6 is moved to the right from the embossing machine into the position shown in the drawings, by a spring 28, of the clock spring type, wound on a narrow drum 29 between peripheral fianges thereon. The spring 28, at its outer end, is attached to the right-hand side member |8 by a separable coupling 30. The drum 29 is journaled at 3| on the track IT at the front thereof. The spring 28 is under strain at all times to draw the carriage l6 toward the drum 29 and, when in the position shown in the drawings, holds the same against a stop 32 on a bearing block 33 on the track I! and projecting forwardly therefrom between the carriage l6 and the drum 29. The carriage I6 is manual- 1y moved from its position shown in the drawings to the embossing machine and places the spring 28 under tension.

The carriage I6 is automatically locked, in the position shown in the drawings and against the stop 32, by a latch 34. This latch 34 has a forwardly projecting elongated body member 35 that rests, at its inner end portion, on the bearing block 33 and is intermediately pivoted thereto by an upstanding stud 36. Integral with the outer end of the body member 35 is an arm 3'! that projects toward the carriage l6 and has on its free end 2. depending detent 38, the face of which is curved downwardly and inwardly to afford a cam surface 39. A pair of set screws have threaded engagement with a pair of outstanding ears 4| on opposite sides of the body member 35 and impinge the track If. justing the set screws 40, the body member 35 may be pivotally moved on the stud 36 to adjust the detent 38. It will be noted that the body member 35 and ears 4| are spaced from the track I! to permit pivotal movement of said body member.

Co-operating with the detent 38 is a latch lug 42 on a hub 43 pivoted on a fixed shaft 44, the end portions of which are mounted in the side members l8. This latch lug 42 has a cam surface 45 and extends outwardly under the arm 31 back of the detent 38 and is released from said detent by a downwardly swinging movement about the axis of the shaft 44. The latch lug I2 is manually released from the detent 38 by means of a lever-acting thumb-piece 46 intermediately pivoted on the opposite end portion of the shaft 44 from the hub 43. This thumbpiece 46 extends forwardly of the shaft 44 and its inner or short end portion is rigidly connected to the hub 43, on the opposite side thereof from the latch lug 42, by a lifting bar 41 that normally rests on the crosstie bar 2|. A coiled spring 48 is anchored to a lug 49 on the crosstie bar 2| and attached to a lug 50 on the lifting bar 41 and yieldingly holds said bar on the crosstie bar 2|. Underlying the thumb-piece 46 is a finger hold 5| mounted on the shaft 44 and attached to the left-hand side member [8 by a screw 52. This finger hold 5| affords a base of resistance for the operators hand while operating the thumb-piece 46 to release the latch lug 42 from the detent 38.

During the final movement of the carriage I6 from the embossing machine to its position shown in the drawings, the cam surface 45 on the latch lug 42 engages the cam surface 39 on the detent 38 and cams said latch lug downwardly so that it passes under the detent 38, against the tension of the spring 48, and is then lifted by said spring By adinto interlocking engagement with the detent 38.

Mounted on the side members I8, back of the crosstie bar 2|, is a ratchet bar 53 that forms a part of the carriage escapement, but for the purpose of this case it will not be necessary to consider the same.

A holder 54, for the plate a to be embossed, is shown in Fig. 15, and includes a fixed lower jaw 55 and a movable upper jaw 56. This pair of jaws 55 and 56 horizontally disposed parallel to the track I! are of substantially the same length as the plate a and project rearwardly over said track. On the rear longitudinal edge portion of the lower jaw 55, at the corners thereof, is a pair of long hinge lugs 51 and 58, the

latter being at the right. The hinge lug 58 is bifurcated and the prongs thereof are designated by the numeral 59. The hinge lug 5! and the prongs 59 of the hinge lug 58 have aligned bores through which a rock shaft 66 extends for relative turning movement. This rock shaft 60, at its end portions, is journaled in bearings 6| on a carrier 62 for the plate holder 54.

The upper jaw 56 has on its rear longitudinal edge portion a pair of hinge lugs 63 having aligned bores through which a long hinge pin 64 loosely extends and has its end portions fixed in the hinge lugs 57 and 58. This hinge pin 64 extends parallel to the rock shaft 65 between said rock shaft and the jaws 55 and 56. The hinge lugs 63 are extended to afford a pair of cam arms 65 that extend transversely over the rock shaft 65, rest thereon and normally hold the upper jaw 56 closed.

The lower jaw 55 is also provided with a pair of laterally spaced hinge lugs 55 between the hinge lugs 63 and provided with pairs of aligned bores through which the rock shaft 60 and the hinge pin 64 extend.

On the upper face of the lower jaw 55 is a flat stop bead 66 that is parallel to the outer longitudinal edge of said jaw and spaced inwardly thereof. The purpose of the stop bead 66 is to limit the movement of the plate a between the jaws 5556. A coiled spring 6': interposed between the jaws 55--56 is held in bore-like seats 68 in the opposing faces of said jaws and under strain to open the upper jaw 56. A V spring 69 is provided for ejecting a plate a held between the jaws 55-56 when the upper jaw 56 is opened. This spring 6!) lies on the face of the jaw 55 and is rigidly secured, at its intermediate portion, to said jaw as indicated at 16. The free end portions of the diverging arms of the spring 69 are bent, just back of the stop bead 66, into parallel arrangement and extend loosely through transverse holes H in said bead and outward of said bead to substantially the longitudinal edge of the jaw 55, see Fig. 11.

Adjusting screws I2 extend through the lower jaw 55, have threaded engagement therewith and impinge the plate holder carrier 62 and support said jaw therefrom. By manipulating the screws 12, the lower jaw 55 may be moved about the axis of the rock shaft 60 to raise or lower its front longitudinal edge portion. The rock shaft 66, under each cam arm 65, is flattened to afford a cam surface 13 which, when said arm rests flat thereon, permit the upper jaw 56 to be opened by the spring 61.

On the left-hand end portion of the rock shaft 60, outwardly of the carriage H3, is a hand crank 14. A coiled spring 15 anchored at 16 to the lower jaw 55 and attached to an inwardly projecting pin 77 on the outer end portion of the hand crank I4, normally holds the rock shaft 68 as positioned in Fig, 6 and shown by full lines in Fig. 15.

A handle I8 is provided for holding the lower jaw 55, with the adjusting screws I2 in contact with the carrier 62, from lifting when operating the hand crank I4 to turn the rock shaft 88 into a position in which the cam arms 65 rest flat on the cam surfaces I3 and thus release the same to permit the upper jaw 56 to be opened by the spring 61. This handle I8 is detachably secured to a bearing block 19, between the hinge lugs 55 through which the rock shaft 68 extends for relative turning movements. This bearing block I9 is held by the hinge lugs 55 against axial movement on the rock shaft 68 and has in opposite sides thereof grooves 88 that extend transversely over the rock shaft 68. The lower or inner end portion of the handle I8 is in flat engagement with the outer face of the bearing block I9 and has a pair of laterally projecting flat prongs 8| that extend longitudinally through the grooves 88 and rearwardly thereof over upstanding bosses 55 on the hinge lugs 55. A latch 82 is provided for detachably holding the handle I8 with its prongs 8| interlocked with the bearing block I9. This latch 82 is in the form of an angle member 83, the upright member 84 of which is in contact with the inner side of the handle I8 and is attached thereto by a pivot 85.

The horizontal member 86 of the latch 82 rests on the top of the bearing block 19 and has a downturned flange 81 that overlaps the opposite side of the bearing block I9 from the handle 18. The latch member 84 has on its free outer'end portion a lip extension 88 that normally extends under the head on the stud 89 on the handle I8. This latch member 84 has on its pivoted end portion an upstanding finger-piece 98 by which the latch 82 may be moved pi'votally to lift the flange 81 above the bearing block I9 and also lift the lip extension 88 out of interlocking engagement with the headed stud 89. The handle I8, from the bearing block I9, extends obliquely upwardly and outwardly and its upper end portion is closely positioned tothe hand crank I4.

7 While the operator is turning the rock shaft 68, by means of the hand crank I4, to release the cam arms 65 and permit the upper jaw 56 to open, he is at the same time holding the handle I8 with its prongs 8| pressed against the bosses 55 and thus prevents the lower jaw 55 from lifting, or, in other words, prevents the plate holder 54 from turning about the axis of the rock shaft 68.

At the limit of the movement of the hand crank I4, in turning the rock shaft 68 to release the closed upper jaw 56, a short radial arm 9I on the hub 92 thereof engages a crank pin 93 on a crank arm 94 on the hinge lug 51.

Continued movement of the hand crank I4 acting through the crank arm 94 will tilt the entire plate holder 54 into a position in which it is stopped by the engagement of an adjustable screw 95 having threaded engagement with a de-, pending member 19 on the bearing block I9, with the carrier 62.

The carrier 62 includes a flat body member 96 that extends transversely of the carriage I6 and an outwardly projecting side member 91 on the righthand end portion of the body member 96. The outer end portion of the side member 96 is reduced in width to afford a handle 98 having on its outer end a finger-piece 99. On the inner longitudinal edge portion of the body member 96 is a depending flange I88. The carrier 62 is slidably mounted, for movement toward and from the track IT, on three horizontal pins I8I that project toward said track I'I. Two of these pins I8I are laterally spaced and secured one to each of the frame side members I8 and extend through transverse holes in the flange I88. The other pin I8I is integral with the right-hand frame side member I8 and extends through a hole in an upstanding bearing I82 on the handle 98.

The following connections are provided for sliding the plate holder carrier 62 on the pins I8I and for retracting the same, to wit: a rock shaft I83 having reduced end portions, is journaled in the frame side members I8. Integral with the rock shaft I83 is a pair of laterally spaced arms I84 that project toward the track II. On the upper face of each arm I84 is a ratchet tooth I that meshes with ratchet teeth I86 on the under side of the carrier body member 96. The rock shaft I83 is provided, at its longitudinal center, with an outwardly projecting handle I81 having a knurled outer end portion I88. A coiled spring I89, anchored to a depending pin H8 on the handle I81 and attached to a lug III on the under side of the carrier body member 96, yieldingly holds the carrier 62 in its retracted position.

Underlying the handle 98 is a finger hold H2 for one of the operators fingers while sliding the carrier 62 on the pins I8! by means of the finger-piece 89. This finger hold H2 has an expanded inner end portion through which the respective end portions of the rock shaft I83 extend and is held from turning on said shaft by a screw H3 in the right-hand end member I8. The spring I88, in addition to retracting the carriage l6, yleldingly holds the arms I84 with their ratchet teeth I85 in engagement with the ratchet teeth I88 on the carrier 62.

On the opposite side of the track H from the carriage I6 is an attachment that embodies the balance of my invention. This attachment includes a housing H4 on a bed plate H5 supported on a pair of brackets H8 rigidly secured to the track I! by screws I II. This bed plate H5 is secured to the brackets H6 by screws H5. The housing H4 includes a pair of laterally spaced rectangular side members H8 that are perpendicular to the track IT. A large rectangular member H8 is interposed between the side members H8 at the front end portions thereof and secured thereto by screws I28 and dowel pins I2I.

Formed in the body member H9 is a hopper I22 that extends completely through said body member, from top to bottom thereof, and it also extends completely through the bed plate H5. The side members H8 extend materially rear wardly of the bed plate H5 and are connected at their rear end portions by a crosstie bar I23 that extends thereunder and is secured thereto by screws I24.

The housing H4 also includes a top member I25 having in its front end portion, over the body member I I9, a chamber I26 for holding the lower end portion of a stack of plates 01., as will presently appear. In the rear end portion of the top member I25 is an aperture I2'I that extends the full distance between the side members H8. The top member I25 is detachably secured to the side members H8 by screws I28.

Spacing strips I29 are interposed between the side members H8 and the top member I25 and are held in place by the screws I28 which extend therethrough. it is important to note that the spacing strips I29 are inset from the inner faces of the side members II8 to form ways for a purpose which will presently appear.

A magazine I! for holding a stack of plates a is mounted on the top member 25 with its lower end in registration wi h the chamber 525. This magazine l3! is in a slightly rearwardly inclined position and has on its lower end out turned flanges I32 secured by screws 33 to the top member I25. The central portion of the front member of the magazine I3I is open from the top to the bottom thof, as indicated I34. This opening also extends through the top member l2?) between the chamber 25 and the front thereof, as indicated at i The hopper I22, the chamber 25 and the magazine iSI are all of the same length and said hopper and chamber are of the same width. vlates a in. the magazine ISI and the chamber i2 3 hav a working clearance therewith so that they gravity ieed therein.

The openings 835a and H35 permit inspection to see if the plates at are feeding properly and the number of plates in the hopper E22 and chamber 25. The opening i2 5 also permits inspection of the hopper I22.

Attached to the body member 2 id, at the outer face therewith, is a plate I35 having in the intermediate portion at the top thereof an outturned lip I31, the inner surface of which is inwardly and downwardly inclined and leads into the hopper I22. The back wall of the hopper 322 is fiat and slightly downwardly and rearwarolly inclined while the front wall thereof is down vardly and rearwardly inclined on an angle t it restricts the bottom of the hopper 22 to a narrow passageway through the bed plate H5, so, that embossed plates a precipitated therein from the plate holder at are turned from a ho zontal position into a vertical position. It is upper tant to note that the outer longitudinal edge of the lower jaw 55 is very close to the lip when the plate holder is in plate-ejecting posi on, and that the top member 25 projects to oi the side members I26 and body m A down spout at its upper end is in registration with the bottom opening in the hopper I22 and has outturned flanges 539 secured to the bed plate H5 by screws i lil. The front member of the spout I38 has an intermediate opening $38 that extends the full length thereof and exposes the interior of said spout for inspection. The spout I38 has at its lower end portion, at the front thereof, an escape opening I lI for the plates (1. The front member of the spout- 58, above the escape opening l ll, is downwardly and rearwardly inclined at 5&2 to further restrict the width of the spout 38 and more closely hold the plates in vertical positions.

The spout IE8, at its lower end, is attached to a horizontal forwardly projecting long tray Hi3 having on the upper edges of its side members narrow intermediate flanges I='i-I, and the outer end of said tray is open. The side members of the spout I38, at the escape openin Mi, are extended outwardly to afford guide members I55 for the plates a that are in the same planes as the side members of the tray I53, see Fig. 3. Slidably mounted in the tray #13 is an abutment I45 for the plates 0 and has, on its end, shoulders I47 that extend under the flanges IM that hold the abutment M6 in the tray I63. The inner face I46 of the abutment I46 is upwardly and outwardly inclined to hold the plates (1 in the.

tray I43 in the same inclined position. A leaf:

spring I48 is secured to the abutment I46 at its outer face and has curved end portions that extend under the flanges I44 and yieldingly en gage the sides of the tray I43. The purpose of. this spring M8 is to produce a drag and prevent. the abutment I48 from being moved too freely. Within the magazine ISI is a handle-equipped. weight I50 which may be presumed to be restingon the top of a stack of plates a in said maga-. zine in close contact, the one with the other, and assists in the feeding of the same.

The plates a in the chamber I26 are succesa sively removed, the lowermost from the bottom of the stack, by an ejector blade I5I Slidably:

mounted in the ways I35 and on which ejector.-

plate the stack rests. The longitudinal edge portions of the platen are rounded and thickened by folding the same.

upwardly and inwardly upon themselves and thendownwardly offsetting the same until the upper ply is in the plane of the body of the plate to, afford reinforcing ribs 1). Inwardly of each rib bthe plate a is upset to form on the upper side thereof a longitudinal bead c that extends the. full length thereof parallel to said rib. In each. end of the plate a is a notch d.

Formed in the ejector plate I5I is a transverse groove I52 in which the rear rib b of the lowermost plate a in the chamber I26 extends when the ejector plate I5I is retracted. The ejectorplate I5I, at its front longitudinal edge, engages the back of the front rib b and thus holds the lowermost plate a for ejection from the chamber I26. By reference to Fig. 15, it will be noted; that the under side of the top member I25 is rabbeted at I53, above the respective way I30, to' afford working clearance for the beads c on the plateabeing ejected. 1 A friction ball I54 is held in a bore I55 inthe top member I25 over the rabbet I53. The bore Q55 at its lower end is slightly contracted to hold the ball. I5 5 therein. A coiled spring .I56'in thebore I55 is compressed between the bottom of the bore I55 and the ball I54 and yieldingly holds said ball projected into the rabbet I53 to engage a plate a being ejected and steadies the same.

Formed. in the left-hand side member I8, below the respective spacing strip I29, is an entrance passageway I57, that is open at the front of said side member for an embossed plate a being returned from the embossing machine by the plate holder 54. The bottom of the passageway I5! is" flush with the upper edge of the lip I31. A leaf spring I58, attached to the left-hand side member M8 on the outer side thereof, extends ob liquely into the passageway I5'I to steady an embossed plate a being moved through said passageway by the plate holder 5G.

In the top member I25, above the left-hand spacing strip I28 and the passageway I51, is a second passageway 59 for a plate a being moved by the plate holder 54 to the embossing machine, see Fig. 3. It will be noted that the top of the passageway I59 is outwardly and downwardly in-e clined for the passage thereunder of a corre spondingly inclined plate 0, held by the plate holder 5 when positioned as shown by broken lines in Fig. 15 and being moved thereby to the: embossing machine.

The following connections are provided for moving the ejector plate I5! in the ways toward the plate holder 54, to wit: a bell-crank I60 pivoted, at its elbow, to the bed plate II5 on its under side by a screw stud IBI. The two arms of the bell-crank I60 are designated by the numerals I62 and I63, the former extending forwardly at the left of the housing H4 and the latter extending transversely of said housing. A short wide lever I 64 is pivotally attached by a screw stud I65 to the free end portion of the arm I62. This lever I64 extends toward the embossing machine and has in its free end portion a cam surface I68 and a concave seat I61 for the wheel 21 on the carriage I6 that faces the track I1. A sear spring I68 has one of its end portions attached at I69 to the arm I62 and its other arm is attached at I69 to the lever I64 with its intermediate portion coiled about the screw stud I65. This spring I68 is under strain to swing the lever I64 toward the track I1 and when the wheel 21 is out of engagement with the lever I64, said spring yieldingly holds the lever I64 against the track I1 as a stop. A short link I10 connects the bell-crank arm -I63 to the ejector plate II and has on one of its end portions a depending pin I1I on a block I12 and its other end portion is pivotally attached to an upstanding pin I13 secured to the outer end portion of the bell-crank arm I63. The pivot pins HI and I13 work in a longitudinal slot I14 in the rear end portion of the bed plate H5 at the transverse center thereof and the link I slidably rests on said bed plate.

The ejector plate I 5I' is retracted by a long coiled spring I15 anchored to a bracket I16, rearwardly of the housing H4 and secured to the crosstie bar I 63, and attached to one of the screws I11 that secure the block I12 to the ejector plate I5I. The spout I38, at its lower. end, is held by an oblique brace I18 to an integral part of the bracket I16. This brace I 18, at its lower end portion, is fitted in an inverted channel member I19 on the lower end of the spout I38 at the back thereof and secured thereto by stove bolts I80. The brace I18 extends longitudinally under the tray I 43 at the transverse center thereof as a reinforcing member I 8! and is secured thereto at its outer end portion by a holder I82.

,A precipitated plate a in the spout I38 from the plate holder 54 is intercepted and then released by a long upright flat bar I83, theupper end portion of which is extended horizontally outwardly to afford a head member I84 under a long, fiat horizontal shelf I85 for sliding conat its inner end portion'to the back member of the spout I38 and its inner end portion is upturned into contact with the brace I18 and secured thereto by a screw I86. The bar I83, at its lower end portion, extends forwardly and slightly downwardly through an aperture I81 in the back member of the spout I38 to afford a cut-01f I88 in said spout which intercepts a plate a. precipitated in the spout I38. The bar I83 from the cut-01f I88 extends downwardly and slightly rearwardly to afford a follower I89 that pushes a plate a released from the cut-off I88 into the tray I43. As a plate a is moved into the tray I43, the flange I44 extends through the notches d in the plate a and holds said plate interlocked with the tray I43.

- Slidably mounted on the shelf I85 is a block I90 secured to the head member I84 by a pair of screws I 9| that extend through holes in said head member and a longitudinal slot I92 in the shelf I85 and have threaded engagement with the block I90. On the front end portion of the block I90 is an upstanding abutment I93 that is in. en-

gagement with the free end portion of the bellcrank arm I62 to be pushed thereby when the ejector plate I5I is being projected, see Figs. 5 and 6. A coiled spring I94 anchored to the brace I18 and attached to one of the screws I9I in the block I99 is under strain to pull the bar I83 away from the spout I38, withdraw the cut-ofi I88 from said spout, release the plate a intercepted thereby, and hold the abutment I63 against the bell-crank arm I62.

Operation With the parts positioned, as shown in the drawings (in which an embossed plate is being held by the plate holder 54 to be ejected into the hopper I22 and a blank plate has been removed from under the stack of plates in the chamber I26 and the magazine I3I by the ejector plate I5I and positioned to be inserted into the plate holder 54 after the embossed plate has been ejected), the operator holds the plate holder 54, by means of the handle 18, to prevent the same from tilting about the axis of the rock shaft and he then moves the hand crank 14 toward said handle against the tension of thespring 15 and into its position shown in Fig. 3. This movement of the hand crank 14 rotates the rock shaft 60 to position the cam surfaces 13 under the crank arms 65 to release the same and permit the spring 61 to open the upper jaw 56.

At the time the jaw 56 opens, the spring 69, which has been held under tension by the embossed plate held by the plate holder 54', ejects said plate horizontally into the hopper I22. As the ejected plate drops, by the force of gravity, into the hopper I22, the novel shape of said hopper turns the plate into a vertical position and directs the same into the spout I38. At this time, the bar I83 is being held by the bell-crank I60, which, in turn, holds the abutment against the tension of the spring I94 with the cut-off I88 extending across the spout I 38 and intercepts and holds the embossed plate precipitated in said spout.

At the limit of the movement of the hand crank 14 in turning the rock shaft 60, as shown in Fig. 3, the arm 9| on the hub 92 of said hand crank has been brought into contact with the crank pin 93 on the crank arm 94 on the lower jaw 55. At this time the openator, while still holding the handle 18 and the hand crank 14, continues the movement of said hand crank in the same direction and thereby tilts the plate holder 54 through the connections 9I, 83 and 94 until stopped by the engagement of the screw 95 with the body member 96 of w the plate holder carrier 62. This further movement of the hand crank l4 and the handle 18 turns the rock shaft 60 about its longitudinal axis so that the upper jaw 56 continues to still remain open.

Next, the operator moves the plate carrier 62 by sliding the same on the pins I8I by means of the fingerpiece 99, to move the plate holder 54 from its dotted line position, as shown in Fig. 15, toward the blank plate positioned by the ejector plate 5!. This movement of the plate holder 54 inserts the outer longitudinal edge por tion of the blank plate, positioned by the ejector plate I5I, between the open jaws 55 and 56. As the blank plate enters between the open jaws 55 and 56, it engages the spring 69 at its free ends and places the same under tension. As the carrier 62 is moved toward the blank plate, one of the ratchet teeth. I05 slides over the ratchet .tooth I06 which is a sufiicient movement of the moves out oi engagement with the lever i as well as the abutment M6.

plate holder carrier 2 to position the plate holder to receive a blank plate.

I Next, the operator releases the hand cranl; 'Hl', which it; returned by the spring ?5 to normal position, and at the same time turns the reel: shait into a position in which no cam arms I55 are operated by the cam surfaces "53 to close the upper jaw and clamp the blank plate between the two jaws 55 and 55. Next, the op erator operates the thumbpiece 36 to release the latch 3 1 and manually move the carriage I6 toward the embossing machine, against the tension of the spring 28, which carries the blank plate held by the plate holder 56 through the way 59. and then operates the handle 1Z3? release the ratchet tooth I86 from the engaged ratchet tooth Its and permit the tensioned sprin I89 to return the carrier 52 to normal position.

During the initial movement of the carriage I6 toward the embossing machine, the wheel 2'7 and thus releases the bell-crank Iliil, allowing the tensioned spring H5 to move said bell-crank into a position to retract the ejector plate I5I. While the ejector plate I5! is being retracted, the tensioned spring was retracts the bar I83 and withdraws the cut-off I88 from the spout E38 allows the intercepted plate to drop onto the bottom of the tray I43.

During the next cycle of operation of the machine, the wheel 2?, during the final movement of the carriage IE and just before it engages the stop 32 and is automatically held by the latch 34, operates the lever I54, which, in turn, opera es the bell-crank Hill to project the ejector plate I. This projecting movement of the abutment I93, acting through the block I99 and screws IQI, slides the head I8 on the shelf I85 and. thus moves the bar I33 toward the spout I33 which, in turn, moves the cut-oil I88 into the spout I38 to intercept the next precipitated embossed plate.

At the time the cut-off I88 enters the spout I38, the pusher I89 presses the last precipitated plate and moves all of the plates now in the tray It may be assumed that the space between the pusher I89 and the abutment I415 is filled with embossed plates.

It may be here stated that the blank plates are always injected into the plate holder in the same order and likewise the embossed plates ejected. from said holder are always moved into the tray in the same order.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine of the class described, a track, a carriage arranged to run on the track, a plate holder mounted on the carriage for relative movement and having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, a spring under strain to open the movable jaw, means for positioning a plate relative to the plate holder, said plate holder being manually movable to insert the positioned plate between the jaws, and spring-operated means normally holding the movable jaw closed and locked closed, said spring-operated means being manually operable to unlock and open the movable jaw to receive the positioned plate and, when released, closing the movable jaw onto the plate and looking said jaw closed.

2. In a machine of the class described, a track,

'a carriage arranged to run on the track, a plate holder mounted on the carriage for relative move- Oil to the plate holder, said plate holder being manually movable to insert the positioned plate between the jaws, and spring-operated means normally holding the movable jaw closed and locked closed, said spring-operated means being manually operable to unlock and open the movable jaw to receive the positioned plate, and, when released, closing the movable jaw onto the plate and locking said jaw closed.

3. In a machine of the class described, a track, a carriage arranged to run on the track, a plate holder mounted on the carriage for relative movement and having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, a spring under strain to open the movable jaw, automatic means actuated by the carriage for positioning a plate relative to the plate holder, said plate holder being manually movable to insert the positioned plate between the jaws, and spring-operated means normally holding the movable jaw closed and locked closed, said springoperated means being manually operable to unlock and open the movable jaw to receive the positioned plate and, when released, closing the movable jaw onto the plate and locking said jaw closed.

4. In a machine of the class described, a track, a carriage arranged to run on the track, a plate holder mounted on the carriage for relative horizontal bodily movement and for tilting movement in a vertical plane, said plate holder having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, a spring under strain to open the movable jaw, means for positioning a plate relative to the plate holder, said plate holder being manually moved and tilted to insert the positioned plate between the jaws, and spring-operated means normally holding the movable jaw closed and locked closed, said springoperated means being manually operable to unlock and open the movable jaw to receive the positioned plate and, when released, closing the movable jaw onto the plate and locking said jaw closed.

5. In a machine of the class described, a magazine for holding a stack of plates, 2. track, a carriage arranged to run on the track, a plate holder mounted on the carriage for relative movement and having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, a spring under strain to open the movable jaw, automatic means for removing the lowermost plate in the stack and positioning the same relative to the plate holder, said plate holder being manually movable to insert the positioned plate between the jaws, and spring-operated means normally holding the movable jaw closed and locked closed, said spring-operated means being manually operable to unlock and open the mov able jaw to receive the positioned plate and, when released, closing the movable jaw onto the plate and locking said jaw closed.

6. In a machine of the class described, a track, a carriage arranged to run on the track, a plate holder on the carriage having a movable jaw and a plate ejector spring, means for positioning a plate relative to the plate holder, means for operating the plate holder to insert the positioned plate between the plate holder and its jaw, said ejector spring being arranged to be placed under tension by the inserted plate, and means for operating the jaw to hold the inserted plate which, in turn, holds the ejector spring inactive.

7. In a machine of the class described, atrack, a carriage arranged to run on the track, a, carrier mounted on the carriage for relative movement, a normally horizontal plate holder mounted on the carrier to tilt about a horizontal axis and havafixed lower jaw and a movable upper jaw hinged thereto, a spring under strain to open the inovablejaw, spring-operated means normally holding the movable jaw closed and locked closed, "and automatic means for positioning a plate relative to the plate holder, said spring-operated means being manually held from tilting and operated to unlock and open the movable jaw and then tilted and the carrier moved to insert the po- 'si tioned plate between the jaws, said spring-operated means, when released, locking and closing the movable jaw onto the plate.

8. The structure defined in claim 7, further including a hopper below the plate-positioning means. and into which hopper-the plate held by ,th'ejaws-is discharged by manually operating the spring-operated means to release the upper jaw and permit the same to be opened by the spring.

9. The structure defined in claim 7 in which the spring-operated means is a rock shaft, a hand crank on the shaft, cam connections between the rock shaft and the movable jaw for closing said jaw, a spring normally holding the rock shaft with the cam connections positioned to close the upper jaw, and normally inoperative connections, between the plate holder and the rock shaft, operable after the rock shaft has been moved to set the cam connections in position to release the upper jaw and. permit the spring to open the same, to tilt the plate holder.

10. The structure defined in claim '7 in which the spring-operated means is a rocker shaft, a hand crank on the shaft, cam connections between the rocker shaft and the movable jaw for closing said jaw, a spring normally holding the rocker shaft with the cam connections positioned to close the upper jaw, and normally inoperative conections, between the plate holder and the rocker shaft, operable after the rocker shaft has been moved to set the cam connections in posi tion to release the upper jaw and permit the spring to open the same, to tilt the plate holder, the means for holding the plate holder being a handle on the lower jaw having an extension substantially radial relative to the rocker shaft positioned by the hand crank to prevent the same from being tilted.

11. The structure defined in claim '7, further including a stop on the handle engageable with the carrier to limit the tilting of the plate holder.

12. The structure defined in claim 1, further including an automatic catch for holding the carriage with the plate holder in operative position relative to the plate-positioning means.

13. The structure defined in claim 1, further including a spring for moving the carriage toward the plate-positioning means, and a stop and an automatic latch for holding the carriage with the plate holder in an operative position relative to the plate-positioning means.

14. In a machine of the class described,'a track, a carriage arranged to run on the track, a plate holder on the carriage having a relatively fixed lower jaw and a hinged upper jaw, said fixed jaw having a stop shoulder spaced inwardly of its outer edge, an ejector spring held relative to the lower jaw back of the stop shoulder and having end portions extending through apertures in the stop shoulder and forwardly thereof, means for positioning a plate relative to the plate holder,

means for operating the plate holder for insert ing the positionedplate between the jaws and against the stop shoulder and which plate in turn moves the end portions of the ejector spring inwardly and places the same under tension, and

meansfor closing the upper jaw to hold the inserted plate between the jaws which, in turn, hold the ejector spring under tension.

1 5. Ina'machine of the class described, a track, a carriage arranged to run on the track, a plate holder on "the carriage, automatic means for pcsitioning a'plate relative to the plate holder, a hopper, means for operating the plate holder to insert the positioned plate therein, said plate holder being manually operable to discharge the held plate into the hopper, 'a tray, a spout for conveying a plate from the hopper to the tray, including-automatic means for intercepting a plate in the spout and then releasing the same, and

automatic means for feeding a released plate into the tray. -16. Ina machine of the class described, a track,

"a carriage arranged to run on the track, a plate holder on the carriage, automatic means for pcsitioning a plate relative to the plate holder, means for operating the plate holder to insert the positioned plate horizontally therein, a hopper, a tray, a spout leading from the hopper to the tray, said plate holder being manually operable to discharge the horizontal plate therein, said hopper being constructed and arranged to turn the horizontal plate therein into a vertical position and direct the same into the spout, which holds the same in a like position and deposits the same edgewise in the tray, and automatic means for feeding plates from the spout laterally into the tray.

1'7. In a machine of the class described, a track, a carriage arranged to run on the track, a plate holder on the carriage, a magazine for holding a stack of plates, a spring-retracted ejector plate on which the stack of plates is supported, said ejector plate having means for holding the lowermost plate in the stack for movement therewith, means including a bell-crank actuated by the carriage for operating the ejector plate to position the plate held thereby relative to the plate holder, means for operating the plate holder to insert the positioned plate therein, and a hopper, said plate holder being manually operable to discharge the held plate into the hopper.

18. The structure defined in claim 17, further including a tray, and a spout leading from the hopper to the tray.

19. The structure defined in claim 17, further including a tray, a spout leading from the hopper to the tray, a cut-off for intercepting a plate in the spout and then releasing the same, a pusher for moving plates from the spout into the tray, a spring for retracting the cut-off and the pusher, and connections actuated by the bell-crank for operating the cut-off and the pusher.

20. In a machine of the class described, a track, a carriage arranged to run on the track, a plate holder mounted on the carriage for compound projecting and tilting movements, yielding means normally holding the plate holder retracted, automatic means actuated by the carriage for positioning and locking a plate relative to the plate holder while holding a plate under the positioned plate to bereleased, manually controlled means having an initial movement for operating the plate holder to release a plate held thereby, and a final movement for tilting the plate holder, and other manually operated means for projecting the plate holder to receive the positioned plate.

21. The structure defined in claim 20, further including means for conveying a released plate from the plate holder.

22. The structure defined in claim 20 in which the plate holder is returned from its tilted position by the force of gravity.

23. In a machine of the class described, a track, a carriage arranged to run on the track, a plate holder mounted on the carrier for compound projecting and tilting movements transversely of the carriage, yielding means normally holding the plate holder retracted, automatic means actuated by the carriage for positioning and looking a plate relative to the carriage and above the normal position of the plate holder while holding a plate under the positioned plate to be released, manually controlled means having an initial movement for operating the plate holder to re lease a plate held thereby and a final movement for tilting the plate holder, and other manually operated means for projecting the plate holder to receive the positioned plate.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 947,397 Owens Jan. 25, 1910 1,893,463 McCain Jan 3, 1933 2,115,455 Chisholm Apr. 26, 1938 

